Child and Family Centres
Guide to Childrens Services
Parent Link Parenting Guides
When Baby makes three: how to relax and enjoy parenting
West Belconnen Centre
At the Centre we can assist parents with information, support and services. We provide a range of services based on the needs of children and their families, with a strong emphasis on providing services in homes, schools and the community.
At Your Centre
All sessions and groups outlined are run during school terms only, unless otherwise stated.
- Best Foot Forward
- Children's Behaviour and Emotional Wellbeing Clinic
- Cool Kids
- Cool Little Kids
- Drop-in Parenting Information
- Growing Healthy Families (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Parenting Support)
- Learn, Giggle and Grow
- Playing Together (special needs playgroup)
- POPPY (Parents' Opportunity to Participate in Play with their Young)
- Relaxing into Parenting...and Baby Makes Three
- Seasons for Growth
- South Sudanese Playgroup
- Topical Talks
- Triple P - Positive Parenting Program
- Welcome to Belconnen
Your Centre in the Community
Family homes
Outdoors
Schools
Services at your Centre
ACT Health
- Community Midwifery Clinic (Canberra Hospital Birth Centre)
- Community Midwifery Clinic (Canberra Hospital Antenatal Services)
- Early Days
- Maternal and Child Health (MACH) Clinics
- New Parents Groups
- Sleep Groups
- Women’s Health Service
Community Services Directorate
Relationships Australia
At your Centre
Best Foot Forward
A four session course about guiding young children's behaviour and that day to day challenges for parents. The course aims at strengthening your skills as a parent to build better relationships with your children.
Where: West Belconnen Child and Family Centre and local schools
When: Register your interest at your local centre (groups run on a needs basis)
Who: Parents with children aged 3-8 years
Phone: 6205 2904
Children's Behaviour and Emotional Wellbeing Clinic
Consultation clinics for parents and children under 8 years to identify concerns and provide information on child development and behaviours. Strategies and support are provided to address concerns.
Where: West Belconnen Child and Family Centre
When: Thursday mornings
Who: Parents with children under 8 years
Cool Kids
A group for primary school children aged 9–12 years, focusing on teaching them better ways to manage anxiety.
Where: West Belconnen Child and Family Centre
When: Call the Centre to register your interest
Who: Primary school children aged 9–12 years
Phone: 6205 2904
Cool Little Kids
A group for parents of children aged 3-8 years, to help them learn strategies to assist their anxious child.
Where: West Belconnen Child and Family Centre
When: Call the Centre to register your interest in this group
Phone: 6205 2904
Drop-in Parenting Information
An open invitation for parents to visit their local Child and Family Centre, chat with a trained professional about parenting, ask questions and get information. This can lead to ongoing support with a child and family worker. Staff are available to speak with parents and service providers – Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, either in person or by phoning the West Belconnen Child and Family Centre about a range of issues including:
- general parenting
- adjusting to being a parent
- family relationship issues
- your child’s behaviour.
This service is free of charge and available without an appointment.
When: 9.00 am –5.00 pm Monday to Friday
How: Drop-in or call 6205 2904
Who: For parents and carers of young children
Phone: 6205 2904
Growing Healthy Families (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Parenting Support)
Growing Healthy Families is a community development initiative that focuses on parents' strengths, health, education, parenting and family support. It also offers advocacy, linking families to existing services and community development activities. The centre runs a range of events, groups, services and programs for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Who: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and children
When: Contact the centre for programs currently offered
Phone: 6205 2904
Learn, Giggle and Grow
Parents and children have the opportunity to interact and play in a safe and supported environment. The emphasis is on encouraging parents to engage with their children in play, enrich the parent–child relationship and help parents build confidence.
When: Mondays mornings
Who: Parents and children
Phone: 6205 2904
Playing Together (special needs playgroup)
A playgroup providing an opportunity to meet with other parents and have fun with your children. Guest speakers will speak on topics relevant to those attending. Siblings under 5 years welcome. Facilitated by ACT Playgroups with support from Therapy ACT, Child and Family Centres and MyTime Playgroups.
When: Thursdays mornings
Who: Parents and children birth to 5 years who have a disability, developmental delay or chronic illness. Siblings welcome.
Phone: ACT Playgroups 1800 171 882
POPPY (Parents Opportunity to Participate in Play with their Young)
A supported playgroup where you can meet other parents and share experiences while having fun playing with your children. For mums and dads with mental health issues. Facilitated by Mental Health ACT and Child and Family Centres
Where: West Belconnen Child and Family Centre
When: Tuesdays mornings
Who: Parents with mental health issues
Relaxing into Parenting...and Baby Makes Three
A free group program for first time expectant parents conducted over six weekly pre-natal sessions and two post-natal sessions.
How: For further information contact the Queen Elizabeth II Family Centre on 6205 2333
Who: Expectant first time parents
Phone: Relationships Australia 6122 7100
Seasons for Growth
A group for primary school children aged 6–12 years helping them understand change, loss and grief. It provides practical strategies for children to cope with grief and is suitable for children who have experienced:
- the death of a loved one
- separation within the family
- death of a pet
- multiple changes in family or social environments.
Where: West Belconnen Child and Family Centre
When: Register your interest for the next group through your Child and Family Centre
Who: Primary school children aged 6–12 years
South Sudanese Playgroup
A playgroup for Sudanese families with children from birth to 5 years. The group aims to build links with the community and improve access to parenting information and services. Facilitated by West Belconnen Child and Family Centre and Companion House.
Where: West Belconnen Child and Family Centre
When: Wednesdays 10:30am to 12:30pm. Contact the centre to register
Who: South Sudanese families with children from birth to 5 years
Topical Talks
Information sessions for groups of parent on topics such as: practical behaviour tips, toilet learning, play to learn, learn to play.
When: On request
Who: Parents and service partners
Phone: 6205 2904
Triple P – Positive Parenting Program
A parenting group that aims to strengthen relationships between dads, mums and their children. Learn and practice positive behaviour management strategies. Group Triple P employs an active skills training process to help parents acquire new knowledge and skills. The program consists of group sessions providing opportunities for parents to learn through observation, discussion, practice and feedback.
When: Contact the centre for more information
Who: Parents of young children
Contact: 6205 2904
Welcome to Belconnen
For families with young children newly arrived in Belconnen to meet new friends and find out about local services. The group runs for 4 weeks.
Where: West Belconnen Child and Family Centre
When: Contact 6205 2904
Who: Families in Belconnen
Your Centre in the Community
Family Homes
Parents as Teachers Home Visiting Program
A free voluntary program available to families who have a child aged under 2 and a half years. The program can provide prenatal support and continue until your child is aged 3 years.
During monthly home visits, parent advisers can provide you with practical information and guidance in helping your child develop skills that are essential for later learning. Emphasis is placed on developing your child’s:
- thinking and curiosity
- language skills
- motor skills
- social skills
During these visits parent advisers will share ideas and activities with you to support you in the role of being your child’s first teacher.
When: By appointment
Who: Families with a child under 6 months to 3 years of age living in the Belconnen region
Phone: 6205 2904
Outdoors
Paint and Play – Florey
A great time for children from birth to 5 years and their mums, dads or carers. Enjoy painting, puzzles, craft, games, play with your child and meet other parents in your neighbourhood. Please bring your own snack and remember sunscreen and a hat in warm weather and a coat and hat in cold weather. Held during school terms, weather permitting. Facilitated by Florey Primary School and West Belconnen Child and Family Centre.
Where: Florey Primary School, Ratcliffe Crescent
When: Fridays, 9.30am to 10.45am
Schools
Early Links to Learning Playgroup
A free playgroup for families in the Belconnen area with children aged birth to 5 years. The playgroup focuses on promoting early childhood development with a particular emphasis on developing literacy and numeracy skills in a fun and age appropriate way.
Come along and enjoy fun activities such as singing, craft, movement and dancing, and story time.
Where: Mount Rogers Primary School, Alfred Hill Drive, Melba
When: Tuesdays 9.15am to 10.30am during school terms. No need to register, just turn up on the day.
Who: Families with children aged birth to 5 years
Services at your Centre
ACT Health
Community Midwifery Clinic
Midwives offer antenatal check-ups, information and advice for parents scheduled to give birth at The Canberra Hospital (TCH) Birth Centre.
How: Bookings through TCH Birth Centre
Who: Women scheduled to give birth at TCH Birth Centre
Phone: 6244 3145
Community Midwifery Clinic
Midwives offer antenatal check-ups, information and advice for parents scheduled to give birth at The Canberra Hospital Antenatal Ward.
How: Bookings through TCH Antenatal Clinic
Who: Women scheduled to give birth at TCH Antenatal Clinic
Phone: 6244 3466
Early Days
MACH nurses offer group sessions to assist parents with early issues with feeding and settling their baby.
Where: West Belconnen Child and Family Centre
How: Drop in by 9.30am Fridays
Who: Parents with babies up to 3 months
Phone: 6207 9977
Maternal and Child Health (MACH) Clinics
MACH nurses offer health checks, immunisation, information and advice on parenting issues, including development, lactation, feeding, sleep and settling.
How: Appointments and drop-in times through ACT Community Health Intake
Who: Parents of babies
Phone: 6207 9977
New Parent Group
MACH nurses facilitate first-time parents of babies up to 4 months, offering support, information and advice over 5 weekly sessions.
How: Bookings through ACT Community Health Intake
Who: First time parents of babies up to 4 months
Phone: 6207 9977
Nutrition Clinic
Individual information and advice about feeding and nutrition.
How: Bookings through ACT Community Health Intake
Who: Children, young people and pregnant or breastfeeding women
Phone: 6207 9977
Sleep Groups
MACH nurses conduct sleep groups aimed at addressing sleep and settling issues.
How: Enrolments through ACT Community Health Intake
Who: Parents of infants and children up to 3 years
Phone: 6207 9977
Women’s Health Service
Nurse and counsellor led services offered weekly to support women’s health and wellbeing.
How: Contact ACT Health, Women’s Health Service for more information
Who: Women who experience significant barriers to health service access
Phone: 6205 1078
Community Services Directorate
Speech Drop-in Clinics
- Drop-in clinic provides parents in the ACT with an opportunity to discuss issues about their child’s communication skills with a speech pathologist.
- The clinics take the form of an informal discussion and screen of skills - it is not a formal assessment.
- No appointment is necessary, however, for speech pathology drop-in clinics, an approximate timeslot will be provided upon arrival.
How: Contact Therapy ACT for times and dates. Further information about drop-in clinics, including timetables can be found at www.dhcs.act.gov.au/therapyact/drop_in
Who: Speech - from birth to the end of kindergarten.
For concerns in older children, please contact the Intake Line 6205 1246
Phone: 6205 1277 or 6205 1246
Relationships Australia
Relationship Counselling
How: Bookings through West Belconnen Child and Family Centre
Who: Families using the West Belconnen Child and Family Centre
Phone: 6205 2904
